“ENDS OF THE EARTH”
Relations between India and Pakistan, both countries with nuclear capabilities, have sharply deteriorated after India accused Pakistan of supporting an April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that resulted in the deaths of 26 people.
Pakistan has denied these allegations, and since then, the two nations have exchanged gunfire in Kashmir, as well as harsh words, expelled citizens, and closed their border.
Last week, Indian Prime Minister Modi promised to track down and punish those responsible for the attack in the popular tourist area of Pahalgam, along with their supporters.
“I tell the entire world: India will identify, pursue, and hold accountable every terrorist and their backers,” he stated on Thursday.
“We will chase them to the ends of the Earth.”
Experts are concerned that such aggressive rhetoric could lead to potential military conflict.
Kashmir, a region with a majority Muslim population, has been divided between India and Pakistan since both gained independence from British colonial rule in 1947. Each country claims the entire territory.
Since 1989, rebels in the Indian-controlled area have been fighting for independence or to join Pakistan.
The Indian police have released wanted posters for three individuals linked to the Kashmir attack: two Pakistanis and one Indian, believed to be part of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba group, which is recognized as a terrorist organization by the UN.
Authorities have offered a reward of two million rupees (approximately US$23,500) for information leading to the arrest of each suspect and have conducted extensive detentions of those suspected of having connections to the alleged attackers.
The United Nations has called for dialogue between the rival nations, while China, sharing borders with both, reiterated on Tuesday its urging for both sides to “exercise restraint.”
The most significant recent attack in Indian-administered Kashmir occurred in Pulwama in 2019, when a militant drove an explosive-laden vehicle into a convoy of security forces, resulting in 40 fatalities and 35 injuries.
Twelve days later, Indian fighter jets conducted airstrikes on Pakistani territory.
Iran has offered to mediate the situation, and Saudi Arabia stated that it is working to “prevent an escalation.”
US President Donald Trump has played down the tensions, suggesting on Friday that the dispute will eventually be resolved “one way or another.”
